Protesters clash with police in Rome

Protesters attack a police officer during a protest called by university students against the vote of confidence in Silvio Berlusconi's government on December 14, 2010 in Rome, Italy. Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi scraped through a crucial confidence vote in the lower house of parliament by 314 votes in favour and 311 against.

Massimo Percossi / EPA

Pyrotechnics explode as anti-government protesters clash with riot police in Montecitorio square, near the Italian parliament, Rome, Italy on 14 December 2010. Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi‘s government on Tuesday narrowly won a key parliament confidence vote, staving off a demand for the premier‘s resignation made by the center-left opposition and a group of rebel conservatives.

Pier Paolo Cito / AP

An injured demonstrator receives assistance after clashes, in Rome, Tuesday.

Alberto Pizzoli / AFP - Getty Images

A police van and a car have been set on fire at Piazza del Popolo during a protest of youths to demand a change of government as parliament met to hold a crucial vote that could topple Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Dec. 14 in Rome. Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi scraped through a crucial confidence vote in the lower house of parliament by 314 votes in favour and 311 against.

Alessandra Tarantino / AP

Demonstrators, background, clash with police in Rome's Piazza del Popolo Squaren Dec. 14. Premier Silvio Berlusconi won back-to-back votes of confidence in the Italian parliament Tuesday to survive one of the toughest tests of his political life. But he was left with a razor-thin majority that will make it hard for him to govern effectively. As lawmakers cast their votes, a violent core of anti-Berlusconi protesters outside clashed with police, smashing shop windows, setting cars on fire and hurling firecrackers, eggs and paint.